Looking for a new (To me) boat ...

[shemandr]

I've sold my boat up on LI and now am looking to start sailing in Southeast Florida. I'm thinking of buying a small sailboat. It will have to be trailerable, most likely a centerboard boat around 15'. Of course ez to launch and rig for daysailing. One problem is that I'm really looking to sail it in blue water. I don't mean ocean water. I mean water that is blue in color. So that's not the Indian River Lagoon, or the St. Lucie River water. The area of suitable water closest to home would be the Intercoastal South of Hobe Sound to Jupitor.
My real question is that with the dominate wind of SE, do you think it would be possible to sail up and down the Intercoastal Waterway? That would be generally North and South. I'm thinking South first from a launch ramp North of Hobe sound and then back to the ramp on a beam or deeper reach. Has anyone sailed on the Intercoastal in this manor?
The major alternative is to trailer it to Islamorado where my brother has a fishing camp and access to a ramp. That would probably be a different boat.

 

[Benny17441]

Some of the Bridge Tenders in the Intracoastal will refuse an opening until you douse the sails. Traffic can be a hindrance to tacking. Suggestion, go up to a 22' and you can sail outside in the Atlantic close to shore. Or trailer the boat down to Biscayne Bay and sail the upper Keys. Or go to Stuart and go across the Okeechobee Waterway to Ft. Myers on the Gulf of Mexico. From Islamorada you can cut across to Florida Bay and follow the channels to the Everglades. We have done all that and more around Florida in a 22' Starwind.

 

[capta]

If it is just a day sailor you seek, how about considering a small multihull? They are way more agile and fun than a mono in that size range, and probably easier to rig and derig. The speed could give you the ability to go from the launching ramp, out the inlet, up the coast to the next inlet and back down to the ramp easily in half a day. You could stop for lunch at the numerous waterside restaurants, or on the numerous sand bars in the ICW. Surfing in the edge of the stream could be fun. We did much the same in the Molokai Channel off Oahu in Hawaii on Hobie 16's, and it was a gas, gas, gas.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Hands down ,I'd go witha 19' or 22' Com pac catboat

 

[jon hansen]

i vote 'highlander', high speed, comfortable, strong,

 

[jssailem]

I spent 18 years with a Montgomery 15. Tough little boat. Quick sailor. Room to stretch out in the berth with out a mast in your way (deck stepped). Shallow draft keel with center board.

 

[shemandr]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking at all of them on SBD.com. For this swallow water sailing I'm thinking draft at around 3'. But since most of the time will be off the wind I wouldn't need the board all the way down.

 

[kappykaplan]

swallow water sailing

???

 

[shemandr]

My Nephew who is in Jupitor has a Com Pac of under 20'. I think it would be best to "Prove" the concept that I could sail North and South on the Intercostal staying in the channel mostly in a SE, E, or NE breeze before buying any boat. He is so busy with his job and school it will be a while before we can do this.

 

[jssailem]

Here is a link to the Montgomery website...

http://msog.org/index.cfm

Oh My... Here is my old boat for sale.

Reference #: 1195	Posted/Renewed: 10/24/2019​
For Sale: ​	1988 Montgomery 15
Location:	Coeur dAlene, ID
Seller:	Stan Litz Email: Stanlitz2433@gmail.com
Description:	1988 Montgomery 15. White with blue stripe. Great condition. Like new. Teak trim. Mahogany rudder and till.
Price:	$ 5,000

 

[shemandr]

A lot of them are pretty dear.
I'm not sure how I would feel about finding one of my past boats for sail. Somehow violated maybe? Maybe not.

 

[jssailem]

The guy I sold it to had a dream. He was 81. I hope I helped him with his dream.

She was a good boat. We had 18 years together. My wife would disown me if I tried to bring her home. Better that she find someone up in the Coeur dAlene lake area to experience the joy.

 

[kappykaplan]

My wide would disown me

???

 

[shemandr]

It's a phenomena that sailors care about what happens to their ex-boats. To us they are alive. Not to get teary eyed but the boats and us share experiences. The boats can become animate in our minds. I gave a bow hug to my 356 when it was time to go our different ways. She was a good friend to us.

 

[Benny17441]

I spent 18 years with a Montgomery 15. Tough little boat. Quick sailor. Room to stretch out in the berth with out a mast in your way (deck stepped). Shallow draft keel with center board.
View attachment 184578

Nice boat, it looks sturdy an a lot of fun but it's bound to be really slow for any type of coastal cruising.

 

[shemandr]

They are a bit dear. Maybe an older one.
The style of sailing I'd like to get going has nothing to do with speed.
I want to launch the boat, sail it on an EZ reach for a couple of miles, turn around and sail it back on a reach. Feet up. Lean on transom. Look at the birds, maybe see a Manatee, or pod of dolphins. Maybe stop for a swim (That is the reason for clear water. I don't want to swim where I can't see what's around me or what's on the bottom.) I don't want to camp - I don't sleep on the ground anymore. I don't really want to fish - I don't like eating them. Don't particularly want guests. It would be really nice to find something with an awning. And it's looking like I'll need an air draft of under 21 feet. I'm getting in touch with my inner Grump.

 

[All U Get]

We need spellcheck, know.

???

???

 

[jssailem]

In Monterey Bay they bested the challenge of the Wright Potter 15’s. She was a sturdy little boat. Could get up on a plane and surf when on a reach. But yes it was like back packing camping on water.

In the 70’s a Montgomery was sailed from LA to Hawaii. Too cramped for my taste. And suspect water was an issue. But the young sailor made it. I think it took about 32 days.

 

[kappykaplan]

We need spellcheck, know.

Less autocorrect! No wat i mean?